Butte County Contact:
Casey Hatcher chatcher@buttecounty.net
DRC Media Line: 530.552-3100

PDF Version of press release

Chico, CA – A Local Assistance Center (LAC) is a place for residents to connect with the resources needed to recover and rebuild. Local, state, and federal agencies along with community organizations will assemble to answer questions about disaster assistance.

What: Local Assistance Center (LAC)
When: 9:00am to 9:00pm, daily (opens Friday, November 16)
Where: Chico Mall (Former Sears building) – 1982 E 20th St, Chico, CA 95928

A joint State-FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will be co-located at the LAC. Residents can register with FEMA for federal disaster assistance at the center. They can also access information about homeowner’s insurance, steps to rebuild, how to identify personal items, the status of utilities, community and social services, and getting new documents that may have burned in the fire, among other resources.

It is not necessary to visit a center to register for and receive federal disaster assistance. If possible, survivors should register with FEMA before visiting a recovery center. To register, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. Help is available in most languages and phone lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Disaster survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585 to register. Those who use 711 or VRS (Video Relay Service) or require accommodations while visiting a center may call 800-621-3362. All disaster recovery centers are accessible and equipped with tools to accommodate disaster survivors who need disability-related communication aids.

Parking is free in the mall parking lot. The LAC is also surrounded by several city bus stops. The site is wheelchair accessible.